Michael Phelps has wowed us all with the eight gold medals hanging from his neck. The women’s gymnastics team has performed more than admirably. And Jamaica’s Usain Bolt proved he was the fastest man alive.

In other news, the U.S. men’s basketball team — the one with all the celebrities — is 5-0 and headed to the medal rounds as the top seed.

It’s OK if you haven’t kept up with it. I understand. There’s been a lot going on in Beijing.

Besides, all of Team USA’s games are 8 a.m. or 10 a.m. tip-offs, making it difficult to catch the action for those of you that go to work early or like to sleep in.

So, let me fill you in on something: Now is the time to start watching.

Admittedly, going undefeated in pool play wins zero medals; there are tough tests ahead. But, while most teams were concerned with advancing to the tournament format or resting stars for when it really matters, the U.S. decided to flex some muscle.

In five games against China, Angola, Greece, Spain and Germany, the Senior National Team’s average margin of victory is 32.2 points per game. The Dream Team of 1992 set the Olympic record at 43.8 points per game.

While this Redeem Team is still a ways from that mark, they’ve been impressive nonetheless.

The players have bought into what coach Mike Krzyzewski preached all summer. The defensive intensity has lived up to Krzyzewski’s promise that it would be the focal point.

The team has recorded 69 steals (13.8 per game), forced 113 turnovers (22.6) and held opponents to 36 percent shooting from the field — while shooting over 55 percent itself. The criticism of lack of size hasn’t been proven with the U.S. winning the total rebound battle by 11.

There was also the worry that the team might not be able to hit enough shots from behind the shorter 3-point arc. It hasn’t mattered. After starting below 30 percent for the first two games from long range, the U.S. team shot 35 percent, 48 percent and 42.3 percent the last three.

And even better, their foes aren’t hitting them. Opponents are shooting just 26.9 percent from the 3-point line. It’s hardly an issue with those numbers.

But, it’s the actual play that has been tremendously entertaining. LeBron James is blocking shots and showing that he’s the best fastbreak finisher in the world. Kobe Bryant has been a defensive force while still making the highlight reels with his high-flying acrobatics around the rim.

The surprise has been leading scorer Dwyane Wade (16.2 ppg), who has been the best defender on the court by pressuring guards and getting into passing lanes for steals.

So, it shouldn’t matter if you like the NBA or not. Nor should LeBron wearing Cavalier maroon or Kobe sporting Laker purple or the shade of Blue Coach K is associated with be an issue.

They’ll all be national heroes if they return home wearing the gold.